Scout Notes

What Fulham defeat tells us about West Brom defence ahead of Spurs clash

Fulham 2-0 West Brom

  • Goals: Bobby De Cordova-Reid (£5.3m), Ola Aina (£4.5m)
  • Assists: Aleksandar Mitrovic x2 (£5.8m)
  • Bonus points: Aina x3, De Cordova-Reid x2, Antonee Robinson x1 (£4.4m)

BAG ‘EM AND TAG ‘EM

Any concerns that West Bromwich Albion’s defence had improved enough to cause Spurs problems in Gameweek 8 were dissipated in a 2-0 defeat to Fulham on Monday night.

After conceding 13 goals in the first four matches of the season, Slaven Bilic tweaked the Baggies’ backline from a back-five to a back-four, adding Branislav Ivanović (£4.5m) into the mix.

There were initial signs of recovery as they kept their first clean sheet and conceded just once in the Serbian’s first two matches for the club.

However, that progress was dashed in Gameweek 7 as a poor Fulham side made light work of emerging 2-0 winners at Craven Cottage on Monday night.

That was only the second time this season that Scott Parker’s men had found the net more than once in a match and they also bested a number of their underlying statistics against West Brom.

Fulham’s attacking statistics per game between Gameweeks 1 and 6 (left) compared with Gameweek 7 in isolation (right)

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As you can see from the comparison above, on Monday night, Fulham registered superior figures for shots, big chances, shots on target, accuracy rate and goal conversion in comparison to their averages between Gameweeks 1 and 6. That certainly suggests the Baggies are not quite as capable of restricting sides as they indicated in Gameweeks 5 and 6.

FALSE DAWN

West Brom’s defending statistics per game between Gameweeks 1 and 6 (left) compared with Gameweek 7 in isolation (right)

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While West Brom have certainly conceded fewer goals since Ivanović’s debut, and improved some defensive underlying statistics, they have by no means become watertight.

We must remember that the last three matches have pitted them against weaker opposition in Burnley, Brighton and Fulham while Southampton (two goals), Chelsea (three), Everton (five) and Leicester (three) had no problems dismantling the Baggies.

What is also of interest, is one area of West Brom’s team that has been a persistent problem, regardless of opposition: their right-hand flank.

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The maps of key passes conceded by West Brom this season, split across the two different defence systems they have used, show a concentration on their right-hand side.

Between Gameweeks 1 and 6, every assist they gave up came from that direction and while that has not continued to be the case from Gameweek 5 onwards, you can see that they are still giving up more chances created there than anywhere else.

Crucially, a quick look back to the defence comparison table shows you that, despite conceding fewer goals since a switch to a back-four, their chances conceded from the right per game has risen from 10.8 to 14.0.

That is rather encouraging for those taking Spurs’ left-sided assets Son Heung-min (£9.6m) and Sergio Reguilón (£5.6m) into Gameweek 8.

Indeed, one of Fulham’s goals scored on Monday night looked as if it had been lifted straight from Jose Mourinho’s playbook this season.

Left-back Antonee Robinson (£4.4m) pressed into advanced space, crossing for Aleksandar Mitrović (£5.8m) who nodded back across goal for Bobby De Cordova-Reid (£5.3m) to nip in at the back post and head home.

ADEMOLA BOOKMAN

Despite picking up just one point thanks to a blank and a yellow card, Ademola Lookman (£5.0m) continues to impress for Fulham.

Utilising his pace in wide areas, the former Everton man produced an all-round performance, shooting and setting up his team-mates alike; of course, helped by West Brom’s brittle right-hand side.

The fixtures remain unfavourable for Fulham, with West Ham (away), Everton (home), Leicester (away) and Manchester City (away) their next four opponents.

However, it is worth keeping the player on our radars considering his price.

Fulham XI (4-2-3-1): Areola; A Robinson, Adarabioyo, Andersen, Aina; Lemina (Reed 46′), Zambo Anguissa; Lookman (Bryan 90′), Cairney, De Cordova-Reid (Cavaleiro 85′); Mitrović.

West Bromwich Albion XI (4-1-4-1): Johnstone; C Townsend, Ajayi, Ivanović, Furlong; Krovinović (M Phillips 70′); Diangana, Gallagher, Livermore (Sawyers 56′), M Pereira (C Robinson 56′); Grant.

LESSONS LEARNED FROM FPL GAMEWEEK 7

389 Comments Post a Comment
  1. 2OLEgend
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Would you keep Saiss on the bench instead of taking a - 4 to transfer him to Coufal this week?
    Rest of defence is:
    Zouma, Taylor, Ayling, Mitchell

    1. jimbo90
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Yes. Don't -4 for a defender

      1. wilsonito
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Don’t agree with this, especially as it’s not just for 1 gw. There’ll be other transfers needed in future weeks so could be stuck with Saiss for longer

        1. jimbo90
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Each to their own. -4 for a defender you are relying on a clean sheet to make the points back. Can always get Saiss out next week. With the defenders shown there are good enough options for this week

    2. Warby84
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I actually got rid for a -4 but set me up for next 4/5 fixtures..

    3. FPL Theorist
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Yes

    4. jaguar shark
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      If you can field three players I would keep them on the bench for now

  2. Warby84
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Really tempted by Kane to Vardy next week and keep son... Anfield followed by 4 plum fixtures

    1. jaguar shark
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      That’s nuts. Give it another week

    2. jaguar shark
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Ok I see your looking ahead... yeah if vardy looked good this week, that could definitely be a good call

  3. TorresMagic™
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Last Man Standing GW7 (3047 teams)

    Safety score = 41
    Top score = 97
    LMS average = 55.93 (-0.64) = 55.29

    221 to be removed
    2826 through to GW8

    https://www.livefpl.net/LMS

  4. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Have Son. Don't have Kane. Get him now or get Bruno in GW9?

    1. 2OLEgend
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Bruno in GW 9

    2. wilsonito
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Probably missed the Kane train now although he should score well this week

      1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        My thought exactly. Not too sure if I want to bring him in for just one GW. Bruno on the other hand has a lengthy run of good fixtures. Plus I think Son will cover a few of rhe goals that Spur might score.

        1. wilsonito
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Yeah I agree, I’ve also got son so have passed on getting in Kane too

  5. Kodap
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    What do I need to change here? Got 1FT and 1.3m itb, debating Podence > JWP or Bowen/Fornals.

    Or, am I safer saving a FT to look at bringing City in soon? (and if so, where)

    Martinez (Steer)
    Trent - Taylor - Coufal (Lamptey & Dallas)
    Zaha - Podence - Son - Salah (Burke)
    DCL - Jimmy - Kane

    1. 2OLEgend
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Save

  6. wilsonito
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Would it be unwise to play Soucek (FUL H) and bench Watkins (ARS A)?

    1. 2OLEgend
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I would play Soucek

    2. Long ago I drew a walrus
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Surely the unwise move is the other way round

      1. wilsonito
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Only one of them has scored a hat trick against the champions...

  7. wulfrunian
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Amazing and quite emotional from Mark.Really special.
    https://twitter.com/3AmigosFPL/status/1319925964248391681

  8. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Bench one:

    1) Foden
    2) Podence

    1. Stormbringer22
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      2

  9. Stormbringer22
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Is Chilwell really the best defensive option at the moment? Looking at the stats on the member's portal he appears to be on top for most but there are so many other options that interest me. What do you reckon? Which one would you pick from the below:

    A. Chilwell - seems to come out on top for stats
    B. Cresswell - close second for stats + good fixtures
    C. Bellerin - looked lively + cheaper option
    D. PvA - not a lot of data yet, but good option in the past + good fixtures
    E. Zouma - scores the occasional
    F. Cancelo - good fixtures after the next 2 + attacking returns

    1. Gudjohnsen
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Contemplating the same

    2. LSK
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      A

  10. Gudjohnsen
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    TAA, Saiss to Zouma, Chilwell too much Chelsea defence?

  11. Fergiesarmy
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    need some advice on WC

    Forster / McCarthy
    Zouma bellerin Justin Mitchell 3.9
    Zaha son salah ziyech
    Kane DCL

    Last two spots
    A) Grealish & Brewster. Play 3 5 3
    B) Wilson & 4.5m mid play 3 4 3

    Many thanks.

    1. Wild Card this!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Would rather have Coufal than Justin and would upgrade Mitchell to Kilman.
      A

  12. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Does it look ok? Bench alright?

    Martinez
    James Coufal Lamptey
    Salah Sterling Bruno Son Podence
    DCL Bamford

    Steere Dallas Brewster Mitchell

  13. g40steve
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    West Ham’s fixtures look tasty & lots of interest in Cresswell but Fornals is the one I like?

    Scoring well, plenty of box action & likes a strike?

  14. Long ago I drew a walrus
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Clearly the way to go in defence is with an all-C back line.

    Chilwell Cresswell Coufal
    with Cancelo and Castagne to come in in GW10

    If you're not a fan of the West Ham double up, your options are Coady, Cooper, Cash and Coleman

  15. jaguar shark
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Transfer 1 player (currently on the bench): Saiss or Mitchell.

    Joining: Robertson, Laptey, Chillwell.

    1. Jimbo-Jones
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Saiss. Both look done, but Mitchell is £4m - he is perfectly fine as bench fodder.
      Lots looking at Coufal. Chelsea double up with James/Zouma is also interesting given their fixtures.

  16. Jimbo-Jones
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    TAA to Chilwell, or bank FT?
    Feels like a good week to do it given fixtures - TAA has (mci) and Chilwell (SHU).

    McCarthy
    TAA Justin KWP
    Salah Son Grealish Bruno Soucek
    DCL Werner

    Mitchell Brewster Konsa

    1ft, 0.5itb.

  17. royals forever
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Are there any changes that you would make to this squad for this GW

    Martinez Areola

    Chilwell Keane Semedo Lamptey Dallas

    Son Havertz Grealish Lookman Trossard

    Kane Jimenez DCL

    1FT 2.1 ITB No WC

    Any ideas would be welcomed